HC notice to GoI, J&K govt on POSCO

HC notice to GoI, J&K govt on POSCO

Srinagar: The J&K High Court issued notice to Government of India (GoI) and J&K government to respond to a plea filed by a victim of sexual abuse seeking implementation of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POSCO) and other relevant laws made for the protection and prevention of crimes against the children.
The court of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sindhu Sharma issued notice to GoI through Secretary, Ministry of Home affairs and J&K through Chief Secretary, Director Social Welfare, Divisional Commissioners, Kashmir and Jammu.
The plea moved by a resident of Sopore and a survivor of sustained child sexual abuse submitted before the court that the rights of children and other vulnerable groups are being violated and the legal and constitutional authorities have failed to do their lawful duty in order to protect the life, liberty and dignity of children.
The petitioner stated that the lives of hundreds of children have been destroyed by people who have power and control over them.
“These children are confined and abused, putting their life, liberty and dignity at risk. The survivors of abuse are psychologically and emotionally traumatized and endure long-term health ailments due to physical abuse at a young age,” the petitioner submitted.
The petitioner stated that being a victim of child sexual abuse, he has himself undergone trauma while pleading before the court that it is imperative that laws already in place be implemented while mentioning that proper awareness be generated for de-stigmatization.
The plea also stated that there is an urgent need to have a full-fledged mechanism to not only punish abusers but also have a support system and a conducive environment for survivors encouraging them to share their stories so they can live guilt/stigma free life.
The 2014 UNICEF study, “Hidden in plain Sight”, estimated that around 120 million children under the age of 20 have been subjected to forced sexual intercourse. In 2016, an FIR was lodged against a self-styled faith healer in Kashmir’s Sopore district for abusing over 4,000 minor boys.
The plea has sought detailed report with respect to the pendency of cases related to Child sexual abuse in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. It has also sought a direction to fast track all the child sexual cases.

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